I had to pass this situation on to the forum. After a 100 mile ride and pulling into my driveway, I noticed my turn signals and other electrical items weren't working and a sulfur smell coming from under my seat. I took off the seat and the battery was blowing steam through some cracks in the top and looked like it was bulging. My voltage regulator quit working and the battery was getting cooked with too much voltage charge. After letting it cool for hours, nothing worked. Battery was shot. Replaced the voltage regulator and battery and it will now start. So far, every light bulb was toasted, headlight, turn signals, brake & tail light and the neutral light.
How close was I to the battery exploding? Kind of scary. How do I prevent this from happening in the future? My only thought is to get a voltage gauge.
Should the main circuit breaker have popped? 1998 Softail Custom.

 

Yeah...dang that is scary. A circuit breaker would not protect against over voltage, as they are triggered by over current. Over voltage, is not the predominant failure mode of a regulator. So, since it already happened to you, chances are you'll never experience that failure again.

I don't know much about a '98... But I'm surprised there is not some type of warning light for under & over voltage. Sounds like a voltage gauge would be a good accessory.

 

I disagree, with it never happening again. They are a weak poimt for harley. What happens once can happen again.


Clues are burnt out bulbs, that are black inside.

I replaced mine with cycle electric, which is built different. But I only gave 25k on it so I can't say.